The Edison Foundation Celebrates Holiday Season With Annual Event

The Edison Foundation at Edison State Community College hosted The Holidays at Edison State on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, 2025. Over 300 guests attended the annual event, where they enjoyed delicious food, holiday decorations, and engaging entertainment.

Proceeds from the event support The Edison Foundation’s mission to help Edison State achieve its educational and community service goals. The Foundation will direct funds to scholarships, student emergency assistance, employee grants, capital improvements, and more.

“For 28 years, this event has been a cherished tradition in the northern Miami Valley, marking the official start of the holiday season,” said Dr. Rick Hanes, VP of Advancement, Strategic Planning, & Partnerships and Executive Director of The Edison Foundation. “This year was especially exciting as we partnered with our own college theater company, the Edison Stagelight Players, for a wonderful Renaissance-themed madrigal theatrical performance.”

Edison State Professor of English William Loudermilk wrote and directed the production, “A Masque of Mirth.” Cast and crew included:

• Brandon Ogestelli, King Edmund
• Rachel Ogestelli, Queen Katherine/Assistant Director
• Brandon Rose, Duke Henry
• Jessica Poeppelman Rose, Dame Anne
• Olivia Latchney, Lady Beatrice
• Chloeyana Spradlin, Lady Viola – Soloist
• Avery Ogestelli, Lady Elowen
• Scarlet Pistone, Lady Rosaline Fairford
• Emily Beisner, Malvolio, the Steward
• Melinda Spivey, Lady Octavia, Chancellor of the Court/Assistant Director
• James Maloney, Sir Toby, Knight
• Sean McSwain, Sir Benedick, Knight – Vocal Soloist
• River Pistone, Will Kempster, Jester
• Rhys Ogestelli, Page Rowan/Jester-in-Training
• Melissa Runkle, Mistress Aveline Markham – Lady-in-Waiting to Dame Anne
• Becki Loudermilk, Mistress Margaret Violestra – Contralto
• Kim Hale, Mistress Cecily Larkson – Soprano/Keyboards
• David Thomas, Master Cedric Piper – Tenor
• Matt Thomas, Master Thomas Chorleight – Bass
• Jason L. Evans, Silas B. Corelli – Mandolin, Lute, and Drums
• Lisa Snider, Mistress Tilda Hearthwise/Costume Designer, Makeup, and Hair/Props and Set Decoration
• Kimberly Pistone, Mistress Brenna Goodlow/Tech and Sound
• William Loudermilk, Director/Props and Set Decoration
• Matt Beisner, Set Design and Lighting
• Chris Calhoun, Tech and Lighting

“‘A Masque of Mirth’ grew out of my research into the traditions of Renaissance and Elizabethan masques—lavish court entertainments filled with ceremony, music, dance, comedy, and ritual,” said Loudermilk. “As I considered how the Edison Stagelight Players might produce a masque of our own, it seemed natural to draw from the world we know best. For many years, our company has specialized in performing Shakespeare; therefore, this masque borrowed freely from his characters, language, and spirit.”

Also contributing to the event’s success were the committee members and volunteers, Stillwater Valley Catering, Always Blooming, Mike Caldwell Productions, Craft Event Bar, Grand Rental Station, VPP Industries, the Edison State Police Department, and the Edison State maintenance, IT, and marketing teams.

A number of sponsors made the 2025 Holidays at Edison State possible, including Prince & Princess Sponsors Heather Bailey and Frank Scenna, Fifth Third Bank, Dan and Jill Francis, Ray and Bettye S. Laughlin, and Park National Bank; Duke & Duchess Sponsor Wright-Patt Credit Union; and Lord & Lady Sponsors American Trim, Baird Family, C&A Benefits Group LLC, Crown Equipment Corporation, Enrollment Management Services, Stan Evans, French Oil Mill Machinery Co., GNB Banking Centers, Greenville Federal, Dr. Richard A. and Elizabeth Hanes, Koenig Equipment, Inc., MAPSYS, Marias Technology, Tom & Mardie Milligan, Minster Bank, Ohio Valley Integration Services, Inc., Paul G. Duke Foundation, Chris and Christy Spradlin, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, Upper Valley Medical Center/Premier Health, VPP Industries, Inc., Wayne HealthCare, and Wayne HealthCare Foundation.

Learn more about The Edison Foundation and how to support its mission by visiting www.edisonohio.edu/foundation.